Disposable water pipe liner

ABSTRACT

A Disposable Water Pipe Liner is disclosed. Also disclosed is a liner that is insertible into the chamber tube of conventional water pipe whereby it prevents tar buildup on the inside walls of the chamber tube. The chamber tube liner also has a pre-formed aperture designed to be aligned with the stem aperture in the chamber tube. The liner further has a plurality of guidelines inscribed upon it to aide users in trimming its length such that it is fitted to that user&#39;s water pipe. The liner also includes a stem tube liner for slipping over the inner end of the stem to also prevent its being coated with tar and other deposits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to smoking accessories and, morespecifically, to a Disposable Water Pipe Liner.

2. Description of Related Art

Water pipes are a widely used apparatus for recreational smoking oftobacco and other materials. FIG. 1 depicts a conventional water pipe.

Although available in limitless sizes and shapes, the typical pipe 10,as depicted here, has an upright chamber tube 12. The chamber tube 12terminates at its upper end in a mouth 14. Here, soft plastic rim cover16 has been attached to the mouth 14, in order to improve the comfortand functionality of the pipe 10.

The chamber tube 12 is held in an upright and stable position by thebase 10. As stem 20 extends from an aperture formed through the wall ofthe chamber tube 12. The stem 20 terminates in the bowl 22 for placingand lighting the smoking materials. A soft (typically rubber or thelike) grommet 24 seals the stem 20 to the chamber tube 12 to prevent airor liquid from entering or exiting the stem aperture 32 formed in thewall of the chamber tube 12. In many pipes, a carburetor aperture 26 isformed in the wall of the chamber tube 12 as well, in a position abovethe stem aperture 32. If we now turn to FIG. 2, we can examine thefunctioning of this device.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of the pipe 10 of FIG. 1. The chamber tube12 defines a chamber 28 bounded on its top end by the mouth 14, andfurther has an open bottom end. The inner surface 29 of the tubular wallof the chamber tube 12 is smooth (since it generally is made from atranslucent plastic or glass material. The bottom end is covered by aremovable, liquid-tight bottom cap 38. The bottom cap 38 is typicallyobscured from view by the base 18. The bottom cap 38 can be removed(such as for cleaning, etc.) after first pulling off the base 18.

The stem 20 extends through the chamber tube 12 wall and into the bottomportion of the chamber 28. Before use, the operator adds enough water orother liquid such that the inside end of the stem 20 is submerged, i.e.just below the stem aperture height 34.

As should be apparent, when the operator sucks on the mouth 14, it willcause airflow to be pulled down the stem 20 and through the liquid 30 inthe bottom of the chamber 28. As the smoke is drawn through the liquid30, it will be cooled as well as being “scrubbed” somewhat by theliquid. The grommet 24 prevents air from leaking into the chamber 28when under suction, and further prevents liquid 30 from leaking outaround the stem 20. For future reference, the stem 20 is cylindrical andhas an outer diameter 36. The carburetor aperture 26 is an optionalfeature on water pipes 10 that is covered and uncovered by the operatoras desired to improve the smoking experience.

The problem with these water pipes 10 is that the liquid tends to becomesoiled, smelly and unsightly if not cleaned thoroughly fairly often. Asthe liquid becomes soiled, it in turn transfers the contaminants to theinside surface 29 of the chamber tube in the form of brown stains.Serious scrubbing of the disassembled water pipe 10 many times will notbe sufficient to remove all remnants of the brown stains.

What is needed, then, is a device and method that prevents the tarbuildup on the walls and stem of a conventional water pipe without theneed to modify its original design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the priordevices and methods, it is an object of the present invention to providea Disposable Water Pipe Liner. The liner should be insertible into thechamber tube of conventional water pipe such that it prevents tarbuildup on the inside walls of the chamber tube. The chamber tube linershould also have a pre-formed aperture designed to be aligned with thestem aperture in the chamber tube. The liner may further have aplurality of guidelines inscribed upon it to aide users in trimming itslength such that it is fitted to that user's water pipe. The linershould also include a stem tube liner for slipping over the inner end ofthe stem to also prevent its being coated with tar and other deposits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed tobe novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Thepresent invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation,together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood byreference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional water pipe;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of the pipe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the chamber tubeliner of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective and cutaway side views of a preferredembodiment of a stem tube sheath of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the pipe of FIGS. 1 and 2 having theliner and sheaths of FIGS. 4A/4B and 5 installed therein; and

FIG. 6 depicts the method for installing the devices of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modescontemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Variousmodifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, since the generic principles of the present invention have beendefined herein specifically to provide a Disposable Water Pipe Liner.

The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration ofFIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the chambertube liner 40 of the present invention. The liner 40 is preferablyformed from a thin sheet 42 of flexible plastic material. The sheet 42is defined by a top edge 44, a bottom edge 46 and first and second sideedges 48A and 48B. A stem-oriented aperture 50 is formed though thesheet 42 at a distance referred to here as the stem-oriented apertureheight 52 from the bottom edge 46 of the sheet 42. The stem (see FIG. 2)will protrude through the stem-oriented aperture 50 when the liner 40 isinstalled in the pipe.

A plurality of radial slits 54 radiate outward from the perimeter of thestem-oriented aperture 50. The radial slits 54 allow the aperture 50 toexpand to accommodate stems having larger diameters.

One long longitudinal slit 56 interconnects the aperture 50 with thebottom edge 46 of the sheet 42. The longitudinal slit will allow theliner 40 to be inserted into the water pipe chamber (and removedtherefrom) without the need to remove the stem from the chamber tube.

In some versions, there may be one or more guidelines 60 runningparallel to the bottom edge 46 in spaced relation thereto. Theguidelines 60 provide easy reference guides for the operator to cut astrip off of the bottom of the sheet 42 so that the stem-orientedaperture height 52 is equal to the stem aperture height (see FIG. 2).

Since the designs change from water pipe to water pipe, the liner 40will not typically be provided with a carburetor-oriented aperture 58pre-formed in the sheet 42. It is a simple matter of forming thecarburetor-oriented aperture 58 in the sheet 42 by pressing a hotpaperclip or the like through the carburetor aperture (in the chambertube) and through the liner sheet 42 once the liner 42 is installed inthe chamber tube as shown in FIG. 5. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict anotherelement of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective and cutaway side views of a preferredembodiment of a stem tube sheath 62. In order to prevent the stem frombecoming coated with tar and other deposits, a sheath of plasticmaterial is slipped over the portion of the stem extending into thechamber of the water pipe.

The sheath 62 is tubular in shape, with an outer surface 68 defined bythe cylindrical wall 64 of the sheath 62. The sheath 62 further has afirst end 66A and a second end 66B.

The inner sheath diameter 72 is large enough to allow the typical stemto slip into the sheath 62. Referring back to FIG. 3, it is noted thatthe radial slits also serve to hold the sheath 62 in place on the stem,even where there is excessive space between the inner surface 70 of thesheath 62 and the outer surface of the stem. The sheath 62 is preferablymade from material similar to the thin sheet of the liner of FIG. 3, butcould also be formed from material having somewhat more heat-resistantproperties. The protected water pipe is shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the pipe 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 having theliner and sheaths of FIGS. 4A/4B and 5 installed therein. As shown, thechamber tube liner 40 is inserted into the chamber tube 12 and is flatagainst the inner surface of the chamber 28. The liner 40 preferablyextends over the entire height of the chamber 28, both above and belowthe level of the liquid 30.

Likewise, the stem tube sheath 62 protects any exposed surfaces of thestem 20 extending into the chamber 28. With the liner 40 and sheath 62installed, the tar buildup will collect on the liner 40 and sheath 62,rather than the chamber and stem. Once the liner and sheath becomesoiled, it is a simple matter of removing them and inserting a clean andfresh liner and sheath. Finally, we will turn to FIG. 6 to examine theinstallation method for the liner and sheath.

FIG. 6 depicts the method 80 for installing the devices of the presentinvention. First, the water pipe is disassembled 100. This meansemptying the liquid and removing the base and bottom cap, as well as therim cover (if one is provided). If the stem tube sheath is not going tobe installed, then the base and bottom cap do no have to be removed, butonly the rim cover, if appropriate.

Once disassembled appropriately, the stem tube sheath is inserted intothe chamber tube so that one end is aligned with the stem aperture. Thestem may need to be slid out of the grommet partially so that the sheathcan be slid over the end of the stem 104.

The chamber tube liner may need to be cut down in length 108 so that thestem-oriented aperture height is equal to or less than the stem apertureheight.

The chamber tube liner is then rolled into the shape of a tube 106, suchthat it has a diameter that is less than the chamber tube diameter. Oncerolled up, the chamber tube liner is inserted into the chamber tube 110.Once fully inserted, the operator needs to simply release the grasp onthe liner 112, and the liner should expand outwardly until it is flatagainst the wall of the chamber tube.

If the pipe has a carburetor formed in its chamber tube wall, thecarburetor-oriented aperture is formed at this point 116 by poking asharpened or heated tool through the carburetor and the rolled up liner.The water pipe can then be reassembled 114, and placed into service.

In some versions of the invention, a variety of creative designs andeffects may be incorporated into the liner to add to the aestheticbeauty of the water pipe, as well as to hide any partial tar buildup.Because the liner and sheath are disposable, they will provide a verylow-cost way of personalizing the water pipe.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can beconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced other than as specificallydescribed herein.

1. A liner for water pipes, comprising: a flat sheet of flexiblematerial defining a top edge, a bottom edge and right and left edges;and a stem-oriented aperture formed in said sheet.
 2. The liner of claim1, further comprising a plurality of radial slits emanating from saidstem-oriented aperture, said radial slits formed though said sheet. 3.The liner of claim 2, wherein said longitudinal slit is generallyperpendicular to said bottom edge.
 4. The liner of claim 3, furthercomprising a plurality of guidelines inscribed on said sheet ingenerally parallel spaced relation.
 5. The liner of claim 4, whereinsaid guidelines are generally parallel to said bottom edge.
 6. The linerof claim 5, wherein said bottom edge and said top edge are parallel andsaid left and right edges are parallel, said right and left edges beingperpendicular to said top and bottom edges.
 7. The liner of claim 6,wherein said flat sheet further comprises a longitudinal slit formedtherethrough and extending between said stem-oriented aperture and saidbottom edge.
 8. A liner and sheath combination for water-fillablesmokers' pipes, said water pipes comprising a chamber tube having aheight and a stem tube inserted into said chamber tube through a stemtube aperture, the combination comprising: a liner comprising: a flatsheet of flexible material defining a top edge, a bottom edge and rightand left edges; a stem-oriented aperture formed in said sheet; and asheath defining a generally cylindrical shape having an inner sheathdiameter adequate to receive said stem tube therein.
 9. The combinationof claim 8, wherein said liner further comprises a plurality of radialslits emanating from said stem-oriented aperture, said radial slitsformed though said sheet.
 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein saidliner further comprises a plurality of guidelines inscribed on saidsheet in generally parallel spaced relation.
 11. The combination ofclaim 10, wherein said liner guidelines are generally parallel to saidbottom edge.
 12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said liner bottomedge and said top edge are parallel and said left and right edges areparallel, said right and left edges being perpendicular to said top andbottom edges.
 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein said linerfurther comprises a longitudinal slit extending between saidstem-oriented aperture and said bottom edge.
 14. The combination ofclaim 13, wherein said longitudinal slit is generally perpendicular tosaid bottom edge.
 15. A method for installing a protective liner andsheath into a water-fillable smokers' pipe having a chamber tube definedby a generally cylindrical wall and having a stem penetrating said wall,the method comprising the steps of: disassembling said water pipe;rolling a flat sheet of flexible material into a tube, said sheetdefining a top edge, a bottom edge and right and left edges, astem-oriented aperture formed in said sheet, and a longitudinal slitformed though said sheet between said stem-oriented aperture and saidbottom edge; inserting said rolled up sheet into said chamber tube; andreleasing said chamber tube.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising a sheath insertion step following said sheet inserting step,said sheath insertion step comprising slipping a stem tube sheath oversaid stem tube.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said liner of saidrolling, inserting and releasing steps further comprises a plurality ofradial slits emanating from said stem-oriented aperture, said radialslits formed though said sheet.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein saidliner of said rolling, inserting and releasing steps further comprises aplurality of guidelines inscribed on said sheet in generally parallelspaced relation.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said longitudinalslit of said liner of said rolling, inserting and releasing steps isgenerally perpendicular to said bottom edge.